Are T12 Fluorescent Bulbs Being Phased Out

The mandate said production of the tubes would have to cease after july 14 2012.

Are t12 fluorescent bulbs being phased out.

Keep in mind that this policy only mandates that manufacturers permanently halt production on 700 series lamps. However if you are currently using any of the lamps that are being phase out you re not in compliance. Not too long ago the familiar spiral shaped light bulbs many of us knew dominated the fixtures of our homes and businesses. Big name manufacturers like philips and sylvania were granted two year extensions on the deadline.

The energy policy act of 1992 gave the u s. Us department of energy doe regulations began phasing out various sizes of commercial fluorescent light bulbs in 2012. However with leds producing better quality lighting and prices dropping at every turn cfls may. As a result of this mandate businesses will eventually have to replace their t12 lighting and ballasts.

It will even affect some residences. About all you can get today is the fluorescent workhorse of commercial lighting the t8 1 bulb. Compact fluorescent light bulbs or cfls were a go to choice for individuals seeking a cost effective and energy efficient lighting solution to replace incandescent bulbs. By january 26 2018 even t8s will be banned to align with new doe energy efficiency standards.

4ft linear t8 and t12 lamps. Some of the 700 series lamps include. Department of energy doe authority to establish energy efficiency rules governing general service fluorescent lighting. Department of energy mandated that t12 fluorescent lamps be phased out of production after july 14 2012.

How long do fluorescent tubes last. In 2012 the doe standards effectively eliminated most t12 fluorescent lamps and 700 series low color rendering cri below 80 t8 lamps. Since a t8 ballast must operate a compatible t8 lamp a maintenance department would have to replace the ballast plus the lamps that the ballast operates. Even some t8 lamps have been phased out.

First with t12 lamps being phased out soon it makes little sense to buy electronic t12 ballasts so the next basic option is an electronic ballasted t8 system. The quick and short answer is if your office store hospital or school is still being lit with t12 linear fluorescent lamps then yes you have likely already experienced difficulty sourcing replacement products for burned out lamps or ballasts. There are 3 types. Recognize that the magnetic ballasts that are required to operate those t12 lamps were already phased out in october 2010.

This major change will directly affect many commercial retail and institutional businesses.